Stripy Hat

Stripy Hat by Stana D. Sortor

What is Being Made

The Stripy Hat is a knitted infant hat available in four sizes to fit newborns, 6-month-old babies, 1-year-old toddlers, and 2-year-old children. The finished brim circumferences range from 12 inches for newborns up to 18 inches for 2-year-olds, with corresponding heights from 11 to 15 inches. This is a classic striped design that combines two coordinating colorways for visual interest and texture.

Techniques Used

This hat is knitted in the round, which creates a seamless, tubular fabric ideal for fitted garments like hats. The pattern accommodates multiple circular knitting techniques to suit different knitter preferences. You can work the Stripy Hat using double-pointed needles (DPNs), the two circular needle technique, or the Magic Loop technique with a single long circular needle. The hat is worked in stockinette stitch in the round and finished with blocking to achieve proper measurements and even texture.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout the Stripy Hat is stockinette stitch in the round, which creates a smooth, flat fabric with a characteristic V-pattern texture. When worked circularly, stockinette stitch consists of knit stitches only on every round. The striped pattern is created by alternating between the main color and contrast color at regular intervals, adding visual dimension without requiring complex stitch techniques.

Yarn and Materials

The Stripy Hat is designed to be knitted with Knit Picks Swish™, a DK weight yarn composed of 100% fine superwash merino wool. This yarn choice provides softness and durability suitable for delicate infant skin, while the superwash treatment makes the finished hat easy to care for. The pattern calls for 1 skein each of two colorways: MC Dove Heather (24956) for the main color and CC Green Tea Heather (26064) for the contrast color. Each skein contains 123 yards per 50 grams.

Additional materials required include:

• US 5 (3.75mm) circular needles or double-pointed needles, sized to obtain the specified gauge
• Stitch markers for tracking round beginnings and pattern repeats
• A stitch holder or spare circular needle for holding stitches during construction
• Crochet hook and scrap yarn for provisional cast-on (optional, depending on your preferred cast-on method)
• Embroidery needle (optional) for any finishing details

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches in stockinette stitch in the round, measured after blocking. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for ensuring the hat fits properly across all four size options. The intermediate difficulty level indicates that knitters should be comfortable with in-the-round knitting techniques and basic shaping before beginning this project.